Penn State introduced new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to the staff this week after prying him away from Ohio State. There appears to be much drama surrounding that move.
The obvious outrage in Columbus stems from Knowles’ departure for a league rival. On Monday, his camp attempted to give his side of the story.
Knowles spearheaded a stingy Buckeyes defense that led the nation in scoring at just 12.9 points per game. The bunch helped the program secure a national title with a dominant run through the College Football Playoff.
Soon after that championship win, though, whispers of the coach’s exit surfaced. Knowles was tied to both Penn State and Oklahoma before spurning the Sooners for a lucrative offer from the Nittany Lions.
Knowles has ties to both areas. His fiancée reportedly lives in Oklahoma, and he’d previously coached at rival Oklahoma State. He’s also a Philadelphia native. In the end, he spurned his fiancée to return home to Pennsylvania.
Penn State offered a deal worth more than $9 million across three seasons, making him the highest paid coordinator in the sport. Ohio State is said to have countered, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in Columbus.
The Buckeyes weren’t happy to see Knowles walk away given that counter. After learning of his plan to leave, they shut him out of the championship celebration.
